Page 2071 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 25 October 1989
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the Minister assure the Assembly that such costs will be defrayed by making the badges available for public sale? That being the case, what profit does the Minister estimate will be gained through public sale of the badges bearing his exceptional countenance?
MR WHALAN: I have seen the badge in question and I understand that the initial run was one, but the demand has been so great that they are running off 10,000. At this stage there is no decision as to whether or not it will be considered a condition of employment to wear one in the portfolio area. The Government has that under review, and a Cabinet submission is being prepared in relation to the matter. As to the production costs of the one badge that I saw, I am not quite sure where it was produced and what it cost, but I think it was intended as a joke as much as anything.
Mr Kaine: Did you donate the photograph, Minister?
MR WHALAN: Yes, and it was a good one.
UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA
Ministerial Statement and Paper
MR WHALAN (Minister for Industry, Employment and Education), by leave: In announcing the Government's response to the report of the Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Amalgamation of Tertiary Institutions, I indicated that the recommendation of the committee to establish the Canberra College of Advanced Education as the University of Canberra had the Government's full support. I also confirmed the Government's commitment to the amalgamation of the three higher education institutions in the ACT. I take this opportunity to restate that we remain committed to this course. The steps being taken to establish the University of Canberra do not, of course, preclude this development.
It is very pleasing that the Minister for Employment, Education and Training, the Hon. J.H. Dawkins, is proceeding with legislation in the current session of the Federal Parliament. I understand that this legislation will be introduced into the Federal Parliament tomorrow. Mr Dawkins, in the meantime, has given the go-ahead for the college to use the title "University of Canberra" in its notices and advertisements now, providing that it makes clear that this title is subject to legislation being passed.
We are, of course, seeking to ensure that ACT interests are recognised in the proposed legislation. Clearly the composition of the governing council will be important in this regard. I might add at this point that Senator Macklin, the Democrat spokesperson on education, has requested a meeting and he will be meeting me this evening
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